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Cardiff boss Solskjaer admits Aston Villa shun and reveals why

The ex-Manchester United striker was wanted by the Midlands club as a replacement for Alex McLeish, but spurned the chance.

Cardiff and Aston Villa go head-to-head tonight, with the home side in dire need of points in their bid to avoid instant relegation back to the Championship.

The Welsh club’s owner Vincent Tan relieved Malky Mackay of his duties earlier this season, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer brought in to replace the Scotsman.

The ex-Manchester United forward had been linked with a number of vacant Premier League managerial positions after excelling in his homeland with Molde, with tonight’s opponents Villa once keen on the Norwegian.

Solskjaer has confessed that the Midlands club were interested in him two years ago, and that discussion with chairman Randy Lerner were held.

“I spoke with Mr Lerner but it wasn’t the right time, so I thought there was no point to follow that up with more discussions,” the Cardiff boss stated at a press conference.

“My family didn’t fancy moving and it would not have been right for me to come to the Premier League after winning two league titles [in Norway].

“But I am better prepared now after more experiences as a manager.”

Cardiff were beaten 3-0 by Welsh rivals Swansea last time out, and Solskjaer has urged his side to bounce back against Villa tonight.

“You don’t have time to feel sorry for yourself in the Premier League,” he continued.

“A lot will come down to how I deal with the situation and react to the players. You must have that determination that you don’t want to lose or suffer defeat, but no player will perform to their potential if you ram fear down them.

“It has never been so tight at the bottom so we need 18 points because anything between 37 or 39 points could be enough to stay up.”

Gareth McKnight

I am a freelance football journalist from Northern Ireland, currently living and working from Broome in Western Australia. After a degree in sports journalism from the University of Stirling in Scotland, I started in the online football world and have worked for leading websites and media outlets since. My knowledge and passion is based around the Premier League and European football, but I also have a soft spot for the Australian A-League.